Young Ospreys Under 18's Versus The Scarlets

By - | 30/01/2007

With the Reebok Title in the cupboard Phil John's squad will now play three development fixtures with next season in mind. However, for the opening fixture he has selected a strong team (minus Internationals) with only a few new faces on show.

Of those new faces it is only Swansea District's tight head prop Matthew Ridler who gets a start, while Jamie Murphy, Grant Lougher, Derek Trederay and Mathew Saker have to be satisfied with a place on the bench. A number of the team which is captained by experienced No 8 Andrew Bale will want to use this opportunity to remind the Welsh under 18 selectors that if any of their players aren't up to it, then they'll be waiting in the wings. Unfortunately some bad news for Young Ospreys Reebok Cup winning captain Jack Shaw (pictured) in that a nasty eye injury occured in training will keep him out of this weekends' Welsh team trip to France. Shaw has had his share of bad luck as a he was knocked down when going to watch a Celtic Warriors match and therefore denied the opportunity to impress the Welsh Schools Under 16 group. Also last season he was robbed of a guaranteed cap at under 18 level as part of the Home International Championships by a shoulder injury. Therefore everyone in the Young Osprey set up will have their fingers crossed hoping that this injury will not keep him out for long and that he will return in time to get a deserved International place. The team for the match at St Helens, Swansea RFC on Wednesday 31st January is: